U.S. Postal Service to Dedicate Bioluminescent Life Stamps

First-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the Bioluminescent Life Forever stamps. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP at usps.com/bioluminescents. Please share the news using the hashtag #BioluminescentStamps.

Followers of the U.S. Postal Service’s Facebook page can view the ceremony live at facebook.com/USPS.

BACKGROUND:

Recognized as one of the world’s foremost authorities on deep-sea exploration, Dr. Edith Widder, founder, CEO and senior scientist at ORCA, will share research findings about the fascinating world of bioluminescent life. Her photographs appear on seven stamp images.

Bioluminescence — the ability of some living things to generate their own light — occurs on many branches of the tree of life. This pane of 20 stamps showcases 10 examples of Bioluminescent Life.

At center top, the selvage — or area outside the stamps — features a transparent deep-sea comb jelly (Gregory G. Dimijian photo), surrounded by images of the firefly squid (Danté Fenolio). The title “BIOLUMINESCENT LIFE” appears on the selvage above the pane of stamps.